Crask, Sarah Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY402151 Inspection date 26/05/2010 Inspector Jan Burnet

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.3

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.3

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2009. She lives in a residential area of Daventry, Northamptonshire with her husband and son aged 18 months. The whole of the ground floor is registered for childminding and a bedroom is registered for sleeping children. There is a secure garden for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years and two may be in the early years age group. There are currently four children on roll and of these, three are in the early years group and one is aged over eight years.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage is sound. She promotes children's care needs appropriately, although a legal requirement is not being met, and she meets children's individual developmental needs satisfactorily. Information obtained from parents helps her to identify and address children's differences. The childminder is aware of areas for improvement and uses this awareness to begin to review her practice. Her commitment to continue to monitor and extend her practice within her childminding supports the development of children’s care and learning appropriately.

p.4

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 obtain information from all parents about who has legal contact with their child and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 11/06/2010

p.4

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 provide opportunities for children to gain an understanding of and respect for differences, for example, by encouraging them to recognise their own unique qualities and the characteristics they share with others  develop the systems for using observation and assessment, and information from parents, to plan next steps in learning for each child  develop systems to ensure coherence of learning and development across settings and with external agencies or services  develop systems for self-evaluation. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe, warm and welcoming environment. She is aware of her responsibilities with regard to supervising children in her care, necessary checks for herself and her family have been completed and the childminder ensures that children are never left unsupervised with a person who has not been vetted. She is aware of her responsibility with regard to protecting children from abuse and a safeguarding procedure has been drawn up for parents. Most welfare requirements are being met, however, children's best interests are not fully served because information has not been obtained from all parents about who has legal contact with their child and who has parental responsibility for the child. A written risk assessment is thorough as it fully identifies how potential risks have been addressed.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the benefits of self-evaluation, but systems are at an early stage. Her priority is to develop her Early Years Foundation Stage knowledge and the systems for observing and tracking children's progress. She has planned food hygiene training. In discussion she identifies her strengths to be her calm manner and ability to build good relationships. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improve her knowledge and skills and provide an inclusive service for parents and children, although opportunities for children to recognise their own unique qualities and the characteristics they share with others are limited and resources do not reflect diversity. The childminder makes sure that resources are appropriate to children's individual ages and stage of development and that toys are maintained in a good state of repair.

p.5

the early years provision

Information provided for parents includes a portfolio containing a full range of written policies, Criminal Records Bureau forms, first aid training certificate and insurance. The childminder will ensure that the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and English as an additional language are met. For example, by obtaining as much information as possible about each child's individual needs from parents and by agreeing with them how they can work together to meet these needs. The childminder has past experience of working with older children with specific needs. She is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children, but these links have not yet been fully established.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. Observations of children's achievements are being recorded and systems for tracking children's progress are being developed. However, a system for using observation and assessment to clearly identify future learning needs is not yet fully effective and potentially this has an impact upon the progress that children are able to make. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has cared for children since February 2010 and is developing her knowledge of the six areas of learning. She identifies that initially personal, social and emotional development is key. Parents are asked to visit and then gradually introduce their child into her care so that the child is able to feel emotionally secure. As children develop, their independence is promoted by the childminder,

p.5

and outcomes for children

for example, by encouraging them to choose and select resources. The childminder ensures that children are aware of expectations with regard to behaviour, and that she is consistent and a good role model. Children learn to share and take turns. Positive behaviour and achievements are always acknowledged with praise.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Manipulative skills are practised daily as children play with building, posting and stacking toys, and as they make marks with pens, pencils and paint. Children match and name shapes and post them into shape sorters. They count as they build with blocks. Young children develop an awareness of size as they stack rings. Older children problem solve as they make up six jigsaw puzzles printed onto cubes, and a domino game helps them to match numbers. The childminder encourages language development as she supports children's play and she also communicates effectively with hand and body language. Children enjoy easy access to books and older children are supported in developing reading and writing skills.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's creativity is promoted as they choose from a satisfactory range of role play resources, art and craft materials, and as they sing and move to music. They explore and investigate as they plant and grow potatoes carrots, garlic, beetroot, and onions. Children learn how to protect their own health, for example, good hygiene practices. They are active and practise physical skills and gain confidence as they use equipment at the park. They learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, road safety. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8